Doddie63

SB is my clinic and you will get a lot of support. The pre op diet is the tester. How badly do you want to succeed is the question you ask yourself if you get a bit down. The best way to keep your mind off things you are craving, is to keep busy. Now is the time to set up your journal, you game plan such as exercise, etc. Best to you

No don't bother. She was on a time limit and needed to know how to commit her schedule. I cancelled but thanked her. I take her sessions on the webcam and enjoy her very much. She has a lot to offer. My clinic has really improved in its long distanced support with webcam and chat rooms. I will show up at the meeting tonight in case some new people attend, but frankly, if you don't show very few others do. I have very big concerns about the attendance and wonder if there is more we can do about the structure of the meeting such as coffee at a restuarant in stead of the hospital. Maybe we should put it to the group as to what they would like. . I hope you are feeling better and everything was a success.

Thanks for the great inspiration. I was feeling pretty down. So I will pull up my socks and "hard knuckle" past the 200 by dropping to a 1,000 until I start moving downward. Exercise, water chewing are taken care of now I just have to work a bit harder. Again thanks for the info and cheer.:thumbup:

Thanks for the advice. For 3 1/2 years, I have had to keep aloose fill because of my failure to chew. I think I have that conquered now. However, since chewing has become easier, I seem to get hungrier sooner. As for exercise, I am walking 40 minutes a day on the treadmill and of course have been hand digging in compost now for 3 weeks. No weight lost and hungry an hour after eating. That is why I can't make up my mind about a fill. Am I hungry because the food is chewed better and the band is doing what it is supposed to do and this is the way it should be. Would getting more fill take away the hunger? I am leaning toward another fill maybe 1/2 cc

Hi everyone. I haven't posted on this site for awhile, but since I have a question, who better to ask. I have been at 207 for a long time now and just had a .25 fill. I have 5.75 cc in a 10 cc band. I am trying to decide whether or not I should have more fill. Any suggestions? I have all the usual aches and pains of a 67 year old overweight person.

Many people have their surgery in Mexico and are very pleased. I have just one suggestion, ensure you have aftercare here in Canada before going. I would imagine there are support groups in Canada that could give you that information. Point being, be prepared before surgery by not placing yourself in a position of panic afterwards.

As I have not had a reply from any of our group or others interested in a motivational speeker attending our meetings, I will be contacting her to tell her of the non response.

Hi: Suggest you contact your clinic and ask for their support website as well as you can go to canadianlapbanders.com. Coffee meetings are advertised on this site for Toronot and surrounding areas.

I think the intent is to suggest your obtain a written agreement from the clinic on the warrantee of the band and aftersupport and for how long. I think they already do that but you should enquire. I also gave the clinic at time of surgery my wishes if anything went wrong. I do this with all my surgeries.

I have contact with a motivational speaker. She has volunteered to speak to our group on August 11 if there is sufficient interest. Message me privately and I will give out the information I have. As far as I know, any one having a band or interested in the band would be welcome. First things first though, I need to know if how many are interested then I will work on teeing up the meeting.

I certainly agree with the advice given to make the decision yourself as to whom to tell. Your body is your personal concern. It is very easy to say "thank you" when people start commenting on your weight loss. How you are loosing is none of their business. Telling family/friends can result in unexpected reactions. I felt the need to tell my sister (who is morbidly obese like me). She was vicious in her reaction and has not spoke to me since. Word to the wise - be very cautious when you break the news. You never know the reaction you will get.

Buggie I am a SB bandster and the webcam support is in my opinion very good. Just had a session yesterday on triggers. Also, SB is setting up a chat room, I intend to use. As for this site, I think it is second to none and recommend it frequently. Best wishes to your journey

Both places sound awkward. The band is placed around the stomach to make a small pouch. I wouldn't want my port sticking out when I wore a blouse or bathing suit.

congratulations on your success. I really like your optimism and desire to improve. The one most thing we can be proud about is no matter how many mistakes we make along the way or success, we need to look at where we can improve BUT don't forget to give your self a pat on the back. Good going, can't wait until I see the post of your goal being reached. :thumbup:

Suggest you google OHHP to see what they are doing. I read out West here that they infact were covering the costs of lapband but when and the criteria is anyones guess. MY suggestion to you is join Canadianlapbanders on Yahoo and obtain meeting times and places. Attend as many meetings as possible and talk to bandsters who have had the band for a long time and some not so long. I understand that Canadianlapbanders is owned by a Slimband employee but SWLC clients also post their meetings. You can go to either clinics sites and obtain meeting time and places. Everyone is welcome. Even if you are out west, come to our meetings and get as must upfront information that you would like. We have Meico, USA and Canadian clinics attending our meeting and I am sure the two eastern clinics do as well. Good luck and take your time researching.

hi: you have to join slimband's website just as you do most. They have a private members only as well. Go to their home page and follow from there. Dr. Yau works from the TLBC and Slimband is his support organization. He has only the one clinic but supports long distance patients like myself through webcam meetings with various specialists. He has fill nurses (doctors) throughout Canada but you must be a patient of his. Most clinics go that route. You can find fill doctors through the internet that will do fills for a fee but they are hard to find. The other very reputable clinic is SWLC. Dr. Colbourn (sp?) is very well respected. Many do go to Mexico which is cheaper, but as advised you should be prepared for hardship in getting fills. I understand the clinic gives good support so they may have started fills doctors in Canada. You shoud check with them. The sleeve is fairly new and I understand it must be removed after a certain period of time. I admit I am not knowledgable about it. Research is the only way. You will find gastric bands run around $16000 with the reputable well known clinics as they provide free aftercare for a period of time. For instance Slimband is my clinic and they offer 4 years with fills. However, I continue to receive moral support and am enjoying how the clinic has improved services of the years. If possible, go personally to the clinics.

Fun meeting tonight. Hope anyone reading this note makes a note to come next month. Join in the fun.

Dr Yau was my surgeon 3 1/2 years ago and the aftercare given by the old TLBC and the new Slimband is like night and day. Today the staff are trying very hard (and succeeding) with their advice and support. They are now using webcam sessions as a way to supporting long distance paitients. I find them very helpful. I would recommend Slimband as a choice.

Believe it or not, the portions seem small but they will be more than enough for you to follow the guidelines of protein first, then veggies, then starch. After awhile, when you are watching other people eat, their portions will appear huge. Also, individuals that are thin, you will probably also notice, that their everyday portions are approximately 1 cup per meal. We are encouraged to eat 5 small meals per day (2 snacks included in that figure). Don't worry, you will have more than enough. Just stay away from the easy foods that slip down easily. Choose protein that makes you chew. Please come out to a support group. Face to face is far better than internet, although, internet is better than nothing. :smile:

Hi: Try reviewing your initial clinics instructions. Remember them? Eat every 3 hours,emphasize protein, do not drink with meals,limit meal times to 20 minutes, focus on your eating, turn off TV, keep a food log, and of course physical actiity. As for fast eating, that in my mind is a classic receipt for failure. You will always tend to grab "easy calories" that go down fast. If you must, try no fat fruit flavored yogurt with 10 almonds, or a Protein shake with veggie greens. At dinner time, make time for a proper meal. Studies show that exercise is great cariovascular, etc thing to do and it does burn calories. However, the studies also say that people tend to put on weight when they exercise. It seems they mentally feel they can consume more calories wich of course they can't as it would defeat the purpose. Other studies have shown that sweets or high fat foods affect the same part of the brain that the use of heroin does. Theses foods are associate with "fast foods". I have been recording everything I eat, weigh in once a week and am not consistant my exercise. Still I have lost 94 lbs, have been taken off most of my medications and feel great. So I would stick to basic bandster meals and record everything you eat to allow you to see where you shortcomings are. As you progress with your weight loss, then start thinking of increasing your exercise as time allows. Hope this helps you refocus on your journey.

What type of boost are you looking for? Eating, holidays?:thumbup:

Timeforchange. how has your program been going. Are you back on the weight loss track? Kedasmom - thanks for posting. My arms are so huge, even though I have lost a lot of weight. I have been thinking of surgery. Your post was very timely.

Research all surgeons with a particular clinic if they won't guarrantee who will be leading the team. When paying $16000, and you want a particular surgeon, then I would not enter a contract unless that surgeon was to do the surgery. If they want your business, they will ensure your choice of surgeons is honoured.

I go to Dr. W for my fills. His timetable is dependant on the availability of hospital or time. He does his surgery in the hospital. I very much like him. Having said that, if you are just starting your research, I can't emphasize enough that you check out the aftercare including the number of free fills. The FCSC has a program worth looking into. There is another clinic operating in Surrey and Washington State. I think, you could check them out as well. My main point being, aftercare is critical especially for the first 3 years. As one gets used to living with the band (barring no complications) less support is required.